When someone yells, “SHARK!” at a beach, most people run towards land. Not Paul Marshallsea. While vacationing in Australia, Marshallsea heard the alarm, but when he saw that the shark was headed towards the shallow waters where toddlers were splashing, the brave tourist sprinted towards the water and lunged at the shark. The 62-year old grandfather from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, grabbed the 6.5 foot long (2 meters) dusky shark by the tail and shoved the bewildered beast out to sea. Once the shark was pointed away from the shoreline, other beachgoers helped lead the shark out to sea.

The scene was caught on video by an Australian TV news team who happened to be filming nearby and Marshallsea is being hailed as a quick-thinking hero for his actions. Marshallsea, who narrowly avoided being bit by the shark, told the BBC, “My instincts took over and I just grabbed the tail.” Adding, “I know it was dangerous but it almost looked beautiful – you have got to have respect for a beautiful animal.”

An Australian coastguard spokesman told the BBC, “We don’t recommend manhandling sharks but this gentleman did a great job.”